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The freak lightning strikes at Venice Beach not only alarmed the hundreds of beachgoers who were there on Sunday, but also came as a surprise to scientists, who said lightning strikes in the coastal Southern California area are extremely rare.

A swimmer was being treated on Venice Beach after being struck by lightning on July 27, 2014. (Credit: Peter Faust)

A total of four bolts hit Venice Beach that afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

At least one of the bolts hit the ocean directly, electrifying the water and zapping nearby swimmers and surfers.

A 20-year-old man, identified on Monday as Nick Fagnano, was killed and about a dozen others were injured in the sudden strike, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Of the injured, seven people were hospitalized, and one of the victims remained in critical condition as of Monday.

“There are lightning procedures that we use in the forest area, but right here we have people having a good time on the beach,” said Brian Jordan of the L.A. County Fire Department. "It was not expected."

In fact, not only was it was an extremely rare event, but it was one that would have been nearly impossible to predict, according to climatologists.